148 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 21

the same determined in his decision; uddra-yasasam—the most mag-
nanimous and celebrated; nrpa—O King.

TRANSLATION

O King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vamanadeva,
then spoke to Bali Maharaja, the most liberal and celebrated per-
sonality whom He had arrested with the ropes of Varuna. Bali
Maharaja had lost all bodily luster, but he was nonetheless fixed in
his determination.

PURPORT

When one is bereft of all his possessions, he is certainly reduced in
bodily luster. But although Bali Maharaja had lost everything, he was
fixed in his determination to satisfy Vamanadeva, the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gita, such a person is called sthita-
prajria. A pure devotee is never deviated from the service of the Lord,
despite all difficulties and impediments offered by the illusory energy.
Generally men who have wealth and opulence are famous, but Bali
Maharaja became famous for all time by being deprived of all his posses-
sions. This is the special mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
toward His devotees. The Lord says, yasydham anugrhnami harisye tad-
dhanam sanaih. As the first installment of His special favor, the Lord
takes away all the possessions of His devotee. A devotee, however, is
never disturbed by such a loss. He continues his service, and the Lord
amply rewards him, beyond the expectations of any common man.

TEXT 29

watts atl cari eA TATAT |
ETT BTM Hel Bal TATNTHETT 12S
padani trini dattani
bhiimer mahyam tvaydsura
dvabhyam kranté mahi sarva
trttyam upakalpaya

padani—footsteps; trini—three; dattani—have been _ given;
bhimeh—of land; mahyam—unto Me; tvaya—by you; asura—O King
